Heartbreaking Loss: 3 Brothers Drown in Icy Tragedy

A frozen lake with cracked ice and blue hues

Three young brothers died in a heartbreaking tragedy that underscores the deadly consequences of severe weather and the heroic, desperate attempts of family members who risked everything to save them during a massive winter storm that claimed over 35 lives nationwide.

Story Snapshot

Three brothers aged 6, 8, and 9 drowned after falling through ice on a private pond in Bonham, Texas during a catastrophic winter storm
The older brothers entered the freezing water attempting to save their youngest sibling, demonstrating selfless courage that ended in tragedy
Their mother jumped in to rescue them but her body locked up in the freezing water, requiring neighbors and a local football coach to save her
The incident was one of multiple storm-related deaths across Texas, highlighting dangers that accompany extreme weather events

Tragedy Unfolds During Storm Crisis

Howard, 6, Kaleb, 8, and EJ, 9, lost their lives Monday after falling through the ice on a private pond north of Bonham, Texas. The family was staying at a friend’s house across from the wooded area when Howard ventured onto the frozen pond and fell through. His older brothers immediately tried to save him, entering the deadly cold water in desperate rescue attempts. A sister alerted their mother, Cheyenne Hangaman, who rushed to the scene and jumped into the freezing water. Her body seized up from the cold, rendering her unable to help her sons.

Community Heroes Step In During Crisis

John Ramsay, Bonham ISD athletic director and head football coach, responded to the emergency along with a neighbor. They threw a rope to pull Hangaman from the water while first responders worked frantically to recover the boys. Two of the brothers were retrieved and rushed to the hospital but were pronounced dead. An extensive search recovered the youngest child’s body later that day. Ramsay later stated any person would have done the same, downplaying his heroic actions during the crisis.

Mother Faces Unimaginable Loss

Hangaman, who had six children, now faces the devastating reality of losing half her family in a single afternoon. She described her sons’ distinct personalities: EJ loved football, Kaleb was sweet-natured, and Howard was goofy and fun-loving. In heartbreaking statements, she explained how her body simply locked up in the freezing water, making it impossible to save her children. She knew immediately they were gone. The tragedy left three surviving siblings and a community reeling from an unimaginable loss during what should have been a routine day off from school.

Storm Claims Multiple Lives Across Region

The winter storm that devastated Bonham brought heavy snow, ice, and dangerous temperatures across Texas and much of the United States. Bonham Independent School District had cancelled classes Monday due to icy roads and hazardous conditions. The storm contributed to at least 35 deaths nationwide according to some reports, with others citing over 40 fatalities. This was the second North Texas student death that week. On Sunday, 16-year-old Elizabeth Angle died in Frisco when a Jeep-pulled sled crashed into a tree, with another girl placed on life support from the same incident.

School District Provides Support

Superintendent Dr. Lance Hamlin issued statements expressing devastation over the unimaginable loss, with thoughts directed toward the grieving family. Bonham ISD provided grief counseling and support services to students and staff processing the tragedy. The rural community of approximately 10,000 residents rallied around the Hangaman family, creating memorials at the site where the boys died. The school remained closed Tuesday as the community grappled with the loss and continued dangerous weather conditions throughout the region.

Safety Concerns Emerge From Tragedy

The incident highlights critical dangers associated with frozen bodies of water during extreme weather events. Even with school closures and warnings about hazardous conditions, children playing near frozen ponds face life-threatening risks. The tragedy demonstrates how quickly situations can escalate when ice gives way, and how freezing water immediately incapacitates even adults attempting rescues. Police across North Texas warned residents about slippery surfaces and ice hazards following multiple storm-related deaths. This event may prompt reviews of safety protocols regarding private ponds near residential areas and winter recreation warnings for families during severe weather.